Fuel distributor



H.`F. SMITH. FUEL DISTRIBUTOR. APPucmoN mso rss. 25, 191s.

Patented Aug. s, 1922.

2SHEET5-SHEET 2 UIJTIIT IIIITT [L/nesssb.

UNITED STATES HARRY F. SMITH, 01" LEXINGTON, OHIO, ABSIGNOR. BY

THE GAS RESEARCH COMPANY, OF DAYTON,

PATENT OFFICE.

MEENE ASSIGNMENTS, TO OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FUEL DISTRIBUTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

Application led February 25, 1918. Serial No. 219,069.

.distributing device for use in connection with a gas producer, or furnace, and adapted to supply fuel to any desired part of the fuel bed.

It is very difficult to maintain the fuel bed in a gas producer, or furnace, in such condition that there is uniform resistance to draft therethrough; but failure to maintain such uniform resistance causes a very appreciable loss of efficiency. Especially is this true in the gas producer, in which prob ably no other factor has a greater influence upon thercharacter of gas generated than the condition of the fuel bed. Numerous mechanical devices have been devised for the purpose of securing a uniform distribution of fuel. .These mechanical devices when used in connection with an ordinary fur.

nace, such as a boiler furnace, undoubtedly yieldrresults far Superior t0 those attendant upon manual stoking, especially where the furnace is of large slze, and in many adaptations mechanical stokers of the character heretofore in use are ellicient and satisfactorv.

Ivn gas producers` however, the. problem of fuel distribution is not one of uniformity of consistency of the fuel bed, but rather one of Vuniformity of resistance to draft therethrough. In other Words the problem is to secure uniformity of combustion regardless of variations in the consistency of the fuel bed. Obviously merely distributing fuel in such manner as to maintain a constant or uniform thickness thereof throughout the fuel bed is inadequate for securing most effective operation of a producer, since a fuel bed may have uniform thickness or consistency throughout` and, because of variations in the character of the constituent fuel, have some parts thereof consumed at a relatively faster rate than other parts. Because of the desirability of securing this uniformity of combustion throughout the fuel bed it has been heretofore the common producer practice to continually bar the fire in order to thicken the fuel bed where coiuhus tion is progressing too rapidly, and to thin out the fuel bed where combustion is taking place too slowly. To be successful in thus controlling the rate of combustion throughout the fuel bed entails a great deal of labor.

Any completely effective fuel distributing .mechanism for use with a gas producer must necessarily be supplemented by barring uu less that distributing mechanism is ol' such character that the fuel may be spotted In other words, in order. for a fuel distributing mechanism for use in connection with a gas producer to be thoroughly effective it must be capable of not only distributing the fuel generally over the fuel bed` but,` also, of distributing the fuel in such wise as to deposit any desired quantity thereof in any desired spot of the fue] bed. By the use of such distributing mechanism it will be possible to supply extra fuel to those portions of the fuel bed in which combustion is progressing too rapidly in order to dumpen, or slow down, such combustion by adding an extra thickness of fuel to increase the resistance to draft through such portions of the fuel bed, and to not add fuel to those portions of the fuel bed Where combustion is being retarded because of the relatively greater resistance to draft therethrough. The use of such a distributing mechanism will practically eliminate the necessity for barring the fuel bed, and will permit of preventing the formation of channels or chimneys therethrough. In addition it will also facilitate the prevention of the very undesirable wall action inasmuch as it is 'easily possible to bank fue] along the walls of the generating chamber to thus prevent: the formation of the free spaces between the edges of the fuel bed and the wall of tlnl generator chamber which permit the ready upward flow of air therethrough.

The principal object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a simple, inexpensive and substantial fuel distributing mechanism which may be applied to any gas producer` or furnace, which is extremely simple in operation, and thoroughly effective for distributing fuel to any or all parts of the fuel bed.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide fuel feeding apparatus which is so constructed as to prevent leakage of air or gas therethrough, into, or out of. the generating chamber of the producer or furnace with which it is associated.

I have illustrated'a preferred embodiment of my invention, along with a modification thereof, in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view, along the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a pressure fluid is used for distributing the fuel;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional vicw, along the line 3 3 of Fig. 4. of a modified forni of my device` having manual means for distributing the fuel;

Fig. 4 is a )lan view of the apparatus illustratedl in "ig 3, parts thereof being broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the mechanical details of construction,

and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lower part of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. showlng details of construction.

In the drawing, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, l designates the top of the shell of a producer, or furnace, of any conventional construction. The entile producer or furnace is not shown inasmuch as the structure thereof forms no art of the present invention, the fuel distri )uting mechanism disclosed herein being adapted for use in connection with any producer or furnace. Passing through the top of the shell 1 and rigidly secured thereto is a hollow cylindrical member 2 which extends a substantial distance into the furnace..

Mounted upon the outer end of the, cylin drical member 2 is a hollow cylindrical member 3, the ree end of which is closed oil", the cavity tl erein forming a continuation of the passage through the member 2. The member 3 is rigidly but detaehably sccured to the cylindrical member 2 by means of Stud bolts 4, or some similar means, so that if desiredit may be disconnected from the cylindrical member 2 and bodily removed along with the other parts of the mechanism carried thereby.

(lpening through the wall of the cylindrical member 3, to one side and at the top thereof, a` port 5, which may be of any desired shape. Surrounding this port is a flange 6 formed integral with the wall of the member 3 and constituting an extension thereof. The outer end of this extension is anged as at 7, the free face of the ange being properly finished to form a seat for the gate valve 8. Rigidly attached tothe flange i, and held spaced therefrom by means of fillers 7', is a sleeve 9, having a flange 10 thereonsimilar to the flange 7. The free face of the flange 10 is also finished to form a contacting surface for the valve 8. When in properly assembled position the sleeve 9 and the extension G are so positioned relative to each other that the finished faces of the flanges 7 and 10 are arranged parallel, and arc held in definitely spaced relation by means of the fillers i" and stud bolts V11. The distance between the flanges i' and 10 is such that the valve 8, which is adapted to slide therebetween, has snug contact therewith, but may be readily moved aoro the faces of the flanges to open or close the port 5 in order to permit, or shut off, passage of material therethrough. Connected to the free cud of the sleeve 9 is a conveyor pipe 12 leading from a. hopper, or any other source of supply, and adapted to furnish a continuous supply of fuel so that upon movement of the valve 8 to open the port 5.

a charge of such fuel will pass into the interior of the cylindrical member 3.

Rigidly attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical member3 near the bottom thereof are two lugs 13 having aligned assages therethrough. Rotatably mounte in these passages is a shaft 14, the lugs 13 be ing so positioned that the axis of the shaft 14 lies in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of valve 8. Mounted upon the shaft 14 and held rigidly in place thereon, upon opposite sides of the lugs 13, by means of set screws, are two collars adapted bo retain the shaft 14 in proper longitudinal adjustment relative to the lugs 13 and the valve 8. Mounted upon the shaft 14 intermediate the lugs 13 and rigidly connected to such shaft, as by means of set screws, so as to turn therewith is a sleeve 16 carrying thereon an arm 17, the free end of which is connected to the free end of the valve 8 by means of a. link 18. This connection between the arm 17 and the valve 8 is so arranged that rotation of the shaft 14 will cause a corresponding movement of the arm 17 to bring about inward or outward movement of the valve 8 to open. or close the port 5. For thus rotating the shaft 14, a lever 1.9 is rigidly connected to the free end thereof. This lever is so connected to the shaft 14 that when released it will tend to move downwardly and thus rotate the shaft 14 to cause closing movement of the valve 8. In order to increase the moment of rotation tending to thus close the valve the weight 2o is attached to the lever so that maintenance of the valve fl in closed position may be insured. The lever 19. the shaft 14, and the arm 17, being rigidly connected, constitute in effect a bell crank lever. And since the link 18 is pivotally connected to both the arm 17 and the valve 8, it is obvious that swinging the lever about the axis of the shaft 14 will result in ready movement of the valve 8.

Opening through the renter of the closed end of the member is a port 2l. Surrounding this port 2l is an integral extension 22, the location of the port and extension being such that the passage therethrough is eoaxial with the Cylindrical member 3 and the cylindrical member Rotatably mounted within the passage through the extension 22 and the port ffl is a pipe 23, the upper end of wh ich is attached to the hub of the wheel 24 and is restrained trom rotative movement relative thereto by the pin 24. The lower surfaie of the hub ol the wheel 2d adoperates with the upper and tree end 'of the ex tension 22. the eontaeting surfaces of these two meml'lers being properly niaehined. or smoothed in any other desired manner` to permit ready sliding ot' one surface over the other. ltigidly attaehed to the lower end of the pipe E is a fuel receiving and distributing member 2:3. The ltlody of the member is mounted within the eyiiudrieal members 2 and 31 and is arranged two-axially there with so as to readily revolve within those members. Attached to the upper end of the member 25 is a spider 26 terminating in a hollow tube or extension 2T adapted to re eeive the threaded end ot' the pipe 23 therein, a pin le being passed therethrough for preventing relative rotative movement of the pipe E23 and member 28 after they are oonneeted together. The arm of the spider 26 has a passage 2i) leading therethrough, which passage is eonueeted at one end to the passage through the extension 2T, and thus to the passage through the pipe 23. The other end ot' the passage 2l? is connected to a passage 30 formed in an extension 3l of the spider. which extends suilieiently liar down the wall oi' the member 22.3 to bring the open end thereolI in alignment with the lowet open end of the member 2 5. The lower portion. or spout. 3&2 of the member 25 is arranged substantially at right angles to the upper part thereof, the `l'ree end of sut-h Ylower portion exteiiding a substantial distanee beyond the outer surface oi' the upper part ofthe member 25. lt is evident from the above eonstructiou that any fuel admitted through the port 5 into the eylindrical member 3 will pass downwardly through the spider E26 into the member 2o, and will come to rest there the length of the olset pord tion 32 being greater than the distance required to permit oi' the fuel assuming its normal angle of repose. In other words the offset portion 32 extends a sull'icient distanee to retain the fuel therein after such fuel has been admitted to the member 25. Mounted within the member 32 and covering the lower half thereof is a steel plate or lining member 3:2. This lining need not neeessarily be of steel. but should be ot' some material capable of withstandinr sudden temperature variations. In attua practice the member l2 is made of east iron and heealise of its position adjacent the fuel bed becomes highly heated. lt has been found that when ondensed moisture drips from the passage lll pn to this highly heated metal fracture thereof frequently results. By using the steel plate Slt." this trouble is avoided. In actual prat-tire the member 32 is made sepurableiirmn the member 25, being rigidly attached thereto by means of bolts. This is to facilitate repairs in ease the member 32 cracks or heroines defective in any way.

Connected to the upper end of the hub of the wheel :24 is a pipe 33 which `is connected by mea'ns ot' the swivel joint 34 to the pipe 35. This swivel joint may be of any desired eonstruction. that shown being of conventional design. The type of swivel joint used forms no part ol this invention. Located in the pipe 35 is a valve 36 of any desired construetion Jfor completely Cutting oli or admitting a flu id under pressure to that part of the pipe adjacent the distributing mechanism. I prefer to use steam as the pressure iluid, but` of course. air or other pressure fluid mayY be used if desired. This valve 1s not intended as a regulating valve. but merely as a eut olf. it being in actual praetiee either wide open or completely closed so as to admit of a full supply of pressure fluid to the pipe, for use in operatin the distributing Ineehanism. or to eomp etely eutY olf the supply ol such pressure fluid when the device isnot to be operated. Loeated in the steam pipe 35 between the valve 36 aud the distributing device is a controlling valve 3T for admitting any desired amount ol pressure fluid to the distributing deviee tor any desired length of time. have 'found that the most satisfactory type oi' valve to use in this particular place is sueh an one as disclosed, which is substantially identieal with the conventional type of whistle valve. As shown, this valve eomprises a downwardly opening valve plug :SH adapted to open against the pressure fluid in' the pipe ilo, and normally retained against its seat b v the spring 39. Attaehed to the upper end ol the valve and extending through the easing thereof is a stem 40. livotally attached to the valve easing is an operating handle or roeker arm 4l, one end of which ctr-operates with the free end ofthe valve stem 4U, so that upon proper manipulation thereof the valve will be opened a desiretl amount.

ln actual operation the valve 36 is always open so that a supply oi pressure fluid is available at all times. "hen it is desired to introduce fuel into the producer or tire box. the operating handle i9 is actuated to move the valve 8 into sueh position as to permit the inflow of fuel through the pipe 12 and port 5 into the eylindrieal member 3, and so into the receiving member 25. The

wheel 24 is now rotated so as to point the o`-set end of the receiving'distributing member 25 toward the part of the fuel bed requiring replenishing. Havingr properly positioned the receiving-distributing member 32, the valve 37 is actuated to admit blasts of pressure fluid through the pipes 33, 23 and the passage 2l) and 3() to force or eject the fuel from the member 2 through the off-Set portion 32. lt is evi dent that by properly regulating the amount of pressure fluid admitted through the Valve 37 the fuel mayv be forced out of the member 25 with more or less velocity as desired so that it will be shot a greater or less distance across the fuel bed. and may thus be distributed to any desired part of such fuel bed. It is quite obvious that by rotating the vwheel 24. the off-set extension may be directed toward any desired part of the fuel bed, and that by properly regulatinr the supply of pressure fluid admits ted tirough the valve 3T, the fuel may be forced any desired distance from the end of the offset extension 32 to be thus snpplied to any desired spot of the fuel bed. In actual practice it has been found that by the use of this apparatus fiiel may be laced within a few inches of any spot in the fuel bed decided on as needine' an extra amount of fuel.` and it has been found further that, especially where used in connec tion with a producer, the resistance of the fuel bed to draft can be kept much more uniform than has ever been the case heretofore. and this with much less barring than has been heretofore necessary.

Leading;r from the steam pipe 35 between the valve 36 and the valve Il?, is a small tube 42, the opposite end ol' which opens into the pipe 35 between the valve il? and the distributingr mechanism. Located in this tube 42 is a Small cock tI-l adapted to control the flow of the pressure lluid there throu yh. The purpose of this tube is to provie` a continuous supply of pressure fluid to the distributing device so that if any leakage of air occurs through the various joints thereof.y such air will be so Completely saturated with the pressure fluid as to prevent undesirable burningr within the producer' chamber. lt is obvious that the presence of a continuous suppl);Y of presA sure fluid within the fuel feeding member will also tend to prevent the leakage of air through the joints of the device and the inflow of air from the conveyor pipe l2. when the valve 8 is opened. It is also per-- fectly obvious that. in those cases where there would be a tendency for the generated gas to accumulate within the fuel feedingr lmember and escape therefrom into the atmosphere, by leakage through the joints. or t rough the opennig 5 when the valve is opened, the continuous supply of steam prevents such transfer of gas through the device.

OpeningV through the closed end of the cylindrical member 3 is a poke hole 44 normally closed by means of a spring pressed cover 45. The purpose of this poke hole is to permit access to the interior of the distributing device so that if for any reason fuel should become @longed therein it would he possible to insert a bar to eliminate such clogging.

ln the modified form of structure disclosed in Figs. 3, 4 and l have illustrated a device in which manual means are pro` vided for distributing the fuel., This modification of my invention is also adapted for use in connection with any gas producer or furnace. ln this modified form of apparatus, as in the forni shown in Fig. l. there is ligfidtir attached to the shell 1 of the producer, or furnace. a cylindrical member 2 which extends a substantial distance thereinto.

llotatably mounted upon the outer end of the cylindrical member 2 is a cylindrical member 4T, having an outstandin flange 4H around the lower end thereof. T ie member 4T is retained in iilaee with reference to the cylindrical mem er t2 by means of a retaining ring lttl, having` a Harige .7() Cooperating with the flange 48 adapted to retain that member in position and still permit of ready rotation thereof. Carried h v the member li'. and adapted to rotate therein is a cylindrical member 5l of suflicient length to extend through the cylinr dricul member .5 into the chamber 1 and terminate a substantial distance below the lower free end of the member 2. The niember .3l is attached to the member 4T by means of a plurality of bolts Surrounding each of the bolts 52 and located between the head thereof and the upper surface of the member :3l is a spring 53. By means ol' these bolts, which pass through thi` member 5l and are rigidly attached to the member l?, these two members are caused to rotate together. ily using the ,springs fill limited longitudinal movement of the two members relative to each other is permitted. Attaclni'l to the upper end oi' tbe member 5l bv means of the pivot bolt "Jt is a top 5I adapted to swing around said bolt to cover or uncover the passage through the .member nl. Carried b v the top 5i is a iupr .itl to facilitate opening;r and closing ot' said top.

Normally rlosinpr the lower open end of the member Il! is a dish shaped closure 5T pivoted at one side to a supportingr ineinber 5S. the upper end of which is attached to the member iT. As shown this member is attached to the cylindrical member 4'? b v means of an integral extension 59, which passes through a tro-operating passage in the wall of the member 47. It is obvious, however, that any other desired means for attaching the member 58 may be used, it being merely necessary that this member be so attached to the rotatable member 47 that the dish sha ed closure 57 will rotate therewith. Ri idly attached to the closure 5T is a troug like extension 74 through which any fuel in the cylindrical member 5l slides when the closure 57,is open.

Lying in the groove 60 formed in the lower face of the closure 57 and in the supporting lugs 57', carried on opposite sides of the lower face of the closure, is a bar 61, held in place in the groove b means of the cover plate 62, which is rigi lyattached to the closure member. Pivotally attached to the opposite ends of the bar 61 are two conner-ting rods 3, each of which extends upwardly alongside the member 51, andhas its upper end attached to the free end of one of the arms 64. The arms 64 are rigidly attached to the opposite ends of the bar 65, which is rotatably mounted in bearings. 66 provided therefor in the cylindrical member 4T. The arms 64 are attached to the bar 65 within the space formed between the member 5l and the member 47, and are so shaped as to lie wholly within that space and still be capable of swinging with the bar about its axis. Rigidly attached to opposite ends of the har 65 outside the cylindrical member 4T are two arms 67, the outerends of which are connected by means of a rod 68 carryin thereona lurality of weights 69. -Each ci the arms 6i carries adjacent its place of attachment to the bar 65, an extension 70, having a spring 71 attached to the free end thereof. the opposite end of this sprin being attached to a stationary part o the member 47. The mode of attachment of the spring` 71 is such that this spring normally tends to supplement the action of the weight 69. Also attached to the arms 67 adjacent their place of attachment to the bar 65 are sockets 72 adapted to receive an operating l' Vindie 73 for rotating the bar 65 about its axis.

From the above description it is obvious that upon movement ofthe operatingr handle 73, against the action of the weight and springs, there will result a downward movement of the connecting rod 63 with an ensuingr swinging of the closure member about its point of pivotal connection with the,y member 58 to open the lower end of the cylindrical member 52, thus allowing any fuel therein to slide out in the troughlike extension 74, which, as stated above, is attached to the closure member 57. ovement of the operating arm in the other direction will result in a reverse movement of the connecting rod 63 to swing the closure member toward the `open end of the c lindrical member 51. Such'movement of t e closure i idly.

member will result in an upward movement of the troughlike extension 74, and since such movement, aided by the action of the weight and the springs 71, will be comparatively rapid, the fuel contained in such troughlike member will have its direction of travel changed so as to impart thereto as it leaves the troughlike member a more or less flattened out trajector the trajectory being dependent upon t e movement df the troughlike member 74. Thus by varying the rate of movement of the trough 74, it is possible to throw the fuel to any part of t e fuel bed desired. And since the membe 47 is rotatably mounted, the troughlike member, which is carried by and rotates with the member 47, can be pointed so that the fuel will be thrown in any desired direction.

The necessity for the sprin s 53 surrounding the bolts 52 is a parent rom the above description. It is o vious that for imparting sufficient velocity to the fuel to throw it to the more extreme parts of the fuel bed, a very rapid upward movement of the closure 57and troughlike member 74 is necessary. In the course of this rapid upward movement this member 57 will come forcibly into contact with the 'cooperating ends of the cylindricall member 51. ,By providing the springs 53a considerable part of the shock resulting from such contact will be taken care of so` that serious damage to the apparatus will not result.

Fuel is fed to this distributing ap aratus in any desired manner as by lmeans o? a conveying pipe leading off from coal bunkers of any suitable type located at a convenient place. The lower end of this conveyor pipe should terminate above the distributing apparatus in' such position that fuel issuin therefrom will pass into the cylindrica member 51, when the top 55 thereof is open, and will collect in such cylindrical member, bei retained therein by means of closure 57 w ich is normally held in closed position by the weight 69 and s rings 71.

While the form o ap aratus last described is effective, it invo ves considerably more labor than the form disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 described above, and in addition is not so .effective for controlling the distribution of the fuel as the pressure Huid operated dev'ice. The form of apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 lends itself to a very nice control of fuel distribution. .Not only is it possible by the use of this apparatus to closely control the direction in which the fuel is distributed, but alsothe distance to which the fuel is shot from the apparatus. Obviously with the distributing member 32 pointed in any desired direction. it is possible b merely varyin the duration and intensi y of the expellmg blasts of pressure fluid, to shoot `the `fuel therefrom entirely across the fuel bed or to push it gently from the end thereof, so that it will drop directly below the distributing apparatus. And it has been found in practice that with this particular device fuel may be placed directly in any desired spot of the fuel bed. This pressure fluid type of distributor has been tried out in connection with gas producers of large size. And by its use it has been found not only possible to secure a fncl bed of more uniform resistance than could be secured before its use, but to secure these improved results with a direct and substantial saving in the labor involved.

While l have. described my invention as designed and especially adapted for use in connection with gas producers, in which the condition of the fuel hed is of supreme importance, it is obviously capable of use in many other adaptations, and can in fact be used with slight mechanical modifications in connection with any type of furnace or fire box. My invention, therefore, is not limited to the precise structural details set forth, but is ofi-extensive in scope with the definition thereof set out in the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a device for distributing the fuel in a combustion chamber, fuel receiving-distributing means extending into said chamber and having a. laterally -directed discharge opening therein; and means associated with said receiving-distributing means for throwing the fuel through the said discharge opening to any desired distance therefrom; said receiving-distributing means being rotatably mounted and constructed for positioning to distribute fuel in any desired radial direction, the construction being suoli that fuel may be distributed to any desiredv part of the fuel bed vvthin said chamber without being at the same time distributed to other parts of the fuel bed,

2. In a device for distributing fuel in a combustion chamber. fuel receiving-distributing means extending into said chamber, and having a laterally directed discharge opening therein; and fluid pressure means associated with said distributing means for forcing the fuel through said discharge opening to any desired distance therefrom said receiving-distributing means being rotatably mounted, and constructed for positioning to distribute fuel in an desired radial direction, the construction being such that fuel may be distributed to any desired part of the fuel bed Within the chamber'without being at the same time distributed to other parts of the fuel bed.

3. In a device for distributing fuel in a combustion chamber, a fuel receiving-distributing member extending Within the chamber, and terminating in a laterally directed discharge portion; means for positioning said distributing member with the discharge portion arranged in any desired radial direction; and means associated with said receiving-distributing member for forcing fuel through said discharge portion to and desired distance therefrom: the construction being such that the fuel may be spotted.

4. In a device for distributing fuel in a combustion chamber; fuel distributing means rotatably mounted and terminating in a laterally directed spout located Within the chamber; said means being adapted for positioning with the spout pointing in any desired radial direction; and means for forcing fuel from the spout to any desired distance.

5. ln a device for distributing fuel in a combustion chamber; fuel receiving-distributing means, said means being rotatably mounted and having a laterally directed discharge portion extending within said chamber; and fluid pressure means associated with said receivilig-distributing means ada )ted to control the distribution of fuel therefrom, the device being adapted to throw fue] in any predetermined radial direction to any desired distance.

6. vIn a device for distributing fuel in a combustion chamber; a hollow member upon the outside of the combustion chamber` having a fuel inlet pipe opening thereinto; a

-pipc rotatably mounted in the outer end of said hollow member, said pipe being connected outside the hollow member to a source of fluid under pressure, the connection being such as to permit of rotation of the pipe; a receiving-distributing member carried by the other end of said pipe, said receivingdistributing member extending into the chamber and having a laterally directed discharge opening; means for rotating the said pipe; and means for admitting fluid under pressure through said pipe to said receiving-distributing member.

7. ln a dcvicc for distributing fuel in a zas producer; fuel distributing means, said means being rotatably mounted and extendingr within said chamber; fluid pressure means associated with the distributing means for controlling the distribution of `fuel therefrom; and means associated with the distributing means and the fluid pressure means, for continuously supplying pressure fluid to the distributing means.

8. In a device for distributing fuel in a gas producer; fuel distributing means, said distributing means having a laterally directed discharge opening and being rotatably mounted and extending within said chamber; means associated with the distributing means and adapted to admit steam under pressure to said distributing means to cause a distribution of fuel therefrom, said means comprising a valve controlled dello livery passage, adapted to supply pressure steam when said valve is open; and other means adapted to supply steam to the distributing means when said valve is closed.

9. In an apparatus for feeding fuel to a gas producer, or the like, a fuel feeding member, a housing therefor; means for supplying fuel to said feedin r member, for in troduetion into said profY ueer; and meansl for supplying steam, or similar pressure fluid, to the apparatus, said means being constructed to so suppl the steam as to fill the fuel feeding mem er, to prevent the transfer of air or gas through said housing. 10. In apparatus for feeding fuel to a gas producer, or the like, a fuel feeding member, a housing therefor; means for supplyin fuel to said fuel feeding member for intro uction into the producer; and a pipe connecting the interior of the housiner to a source of supply of steam, or ana ogous pressure fluid, the construction being such that steam s introduced through said pipe in such manner as to prevent the transfer of air through said housing into the producer or of gas from the producer into the air.

11.- In apparatus for feeding fuel to a gas producer, or the like, a fuel feeding member; means for supplying fuel to said fuel feeding member, means cooperating with said fuel feeding member for causing the introduction of fuel from said fuel feeding member into the producer; and means fe" supplying steam, or similar pressure fluid` tothe fuel feedingl member lo form a blanket of steam within said fuel feeding member. to at all times prevent the transfer of air or gas into said fuel feeding member.

l2. In apparatus for feeding fuel to a gas producer, or the like, a housin,"r connected with the combustion chamber of lhe producer into which the fuel to be fed. a fuel feeding member within said housing; means for supplying fuel to said fuel feeding member. means cooperating with said fuel feeding member for causing the intro duction of fuelfrom said fuel feeding member into the combustion chamber of the producer; and means for supplying steam, or other similar pressure fluid. constructed to introduce steam to the fuel feeding' mem ber as the fuel therein is introduced into the eombustion chamber, to fill the space within said feeding member to form a blanket of pressure fluid therein to prevent transfer of air or gas into said fuel feeding member as the fuel passes therefrom into the combustion chamber.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

HARK Y l?. SMITH.

Certificato of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. L425,145. granted August 8, 1922,

upon the application of Harry F. Smith, of Lexington. hin, for an imprnvement in Fuel Distributors," errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2. line 52, after the word thereby insertthe sentence The members 2 and 8, wget/usr, are, for pumoscs of description, termed a hmzsing.;

page 6, line 71, claim 3, for the word and rend any.' sind that. the` said Letters Patent should be read with these cur'lectiuns therein that thv sume muy (-unfurm to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of Septumber. A. D., |922.

[mn] WM. A. KINNAN,

Acting (-omnufsm'oner of Patents. 

